Mommyish Poll: Should Restaurants Be Able To Ban Children?

Everyone is talking about McDain’s Restaurant in Monroeville, PA after Mike Vuick, the owner, sent an email to patrons informing them that children under the age of six years old would not longer be allowed into the establishment. According to The Huffington Post, Vuick wrote:

“Beginning July 16, 2011, McDain’s Restaurant will no longer admit children under six years of age. We feel that McDain’s is not a place for young children. Their volume can’t be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers.”

Vuick has defended the ban telling the press that he’s primarily occupied with keeping his customers happy. And after receiving many complaints from customers, he has to do what he can to ensure that they’ll return. ABC news reports:

McDain’s is a small restaurant that seats 40 people. It’s nestled on a golf course, so it’s natural that the casual eatery caters to an older clientele. Vuick said, “We have had lots of older people complaining, and the parents refuse to do anything about their kids’ behavior. They just ignore it.”

Federal law protects against discrimination based on religion or race, but children, or parents for that matter, are not protected. Therefore, Vuick as a private business owner can decide who he will serve in his establishment. The Mommyish editors and I chatted about this story today and the rule seems a bit backwards if the intention is to keep the restaurant quiet. After all, a sleeping or docile newborn is less likely to make as much noise as a hungry six-year-old. What do you think mommies? Should this be allowed?

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(photo: abcnews.go.com)